Latest Posts

5 Smart Ways to Use Your Tax Refund in 2025

by Stacy Brasher on Apr 17, 2025

Investments, Finance, Tax Planning

Tax season might not spark joy, but a refund sure can.

In 2025, the IRS estimates the average federal income tax refund will top $3,170.1 That means a lot of folks are suddenly asking the same question: What should I do with it?

Splurge? Save? Invest?

The good news: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But there are a few options that tend to deliver more peace of mind and long-term upside.

Here are five smart ways to use your tax refund in 2025, plus practical tips to help you make your money work harder (and smarter).

5 Critical Questions HNWIs Should Ask to Address Major Financial Concerns

by Stacy Brasher on Apr 2, 2025

Investments, Retirement, Tax Planning

What do you do when faced with a complex financial challenge?

Do you seek an immediate solution, or do you take the time to fully understand the issue before acting?

The way you approach financial decisions often depends on your perception of time - specifically, how much time you believe you have to respond.1

5 Tax-Saving Strategies to Keep More of Your Money

by Stacy Brasher on Mar 20, 2025

Tax Planning, Retirement

Tax season doesn’t have to feel like an uphill battle. With the right strategies, you can minimize your tax bill and keep more of your hard-earned money where it belongs, in your pocket.

Whether you’re a DIY tax filer or rely on a pro, understanding these key moves can help you make smarter financial decisions and sidestep costly mistakes. Let’s dive in.

How to Dive into Business Succession Planning: 10 Key Questions

by Stacy Brasher on Mar 5, 2025

Investments, Finance, Tax Planning

What will happen to your business when it’s time for you to take a step back?

That can be a tough question that many business owners eventually have to face.

Yet, far too many admit they don't have a formal succession plan in place. In fact, looking at family businesses alone, about 61% say they do not have a documented succession plan.1

Why?

Many business owners say they haven’t put together a succession plan because:

7 Effective Tax Optimization Strategies for High-Net-Worth Individuals

by Stacy Brasher on Jan 21, 2025

Tax Planning, Investments, Retirement, Estate Planning, Real Estate

What does it take to minimize your tax bill, not just this year but in the years to come?

The answer varies for each individual. Tax optimization strategies depend heavily on personal assets and financial goals, which are unique to everyone.

However, nearly all high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) share one common objective: reducing their tax obligations to the absolute minimum allowed by law. Achieving this often involves leveraging specific strategies and tools that can work together to optimize personal income, property, and estate taxes.

Planning for the Future: Essential Steps to Secure Your Retirement

by Stacy Brasher on Jan 3, 2025

Retirement, Savings

Is your retirement savings on track?

If you’re like most people, you may feel it’s not. In fact, concerns about running out of money in retirement are very common.1, 2

Many people today believe they’ll need at least $1.5 million saved to retire comfortably.3 But is that number right for you? The real “magic number” varies widely depending on your current savings, future goals, and lifestyle plans.

5 Major Retirement Regrets (That Are NOT Inevitable & How to Avoid Them)

by Stacy Brasher on Dec 3, 2024

Retirement

When are you going to retire?

How did you make that decision?

Many of us look at finances and health when we’re deciding when to retire.

Whether or not we realize it, we’re also considering our emotions and what we imagine for the future — we compare how we feel in our current circumstances to how we expect to feel in our anticipated retirement.1

With that, we tend to overestimate our future emotions, thinking we’ll be a lot happier as retirees.1

Why Sticking to a Long-Term Investment Strategy Pays Off in Market Downturns

by Stacy Brasher on Nov 19, 2024

Investments, Finance, Risk Management

Watching your portfolio take a hit can be unsettling, but staying focused on the long game is crucial. Even in uncertain times, a long-term strategy helps you navigate market ups and downs more effectively.

Here, we’ll explore why market corrections are normal, how understanding historical trends can offer reassurance, and why sticking with your strategy benefits your financial future.

5 Damaging Myths About Money Talks & the Facts Behind Them

by Stacy Brasher on Nov 2, 2024

Investments, Finance, Lifestyle, Savings, Family

What money topics are the most taboo to talk about?

Earnings, debt, inheritance, or net worth?

For most of us, many financial topics are simply off-limits.1

That means that many of us are not discussing money as much as we probably should be.1

Without those talks, myths about money and financial conversations can get a much stronger grip on our perspective and our financial decisions. That silence may end up stunting our financial literacy.1

How Tax Loss Harvesting Can Potentially Reduce Your Capital Gains Taxes

by Stacy Brasher on Oct 19, 2024

Investments, Tax Planning

If you’re like many investors, the thought of paying capital gains taxes on your successful investments might feel overwhelming. But what if there was a strategy to potentially reduce some of those taxes?

It’s called tax loss harvesting, and while the term might sound complicated, it's actually a fairly simple concept that could save you money.

Let’s break it down.